Scoliosis Surgery
Scoliosis surgery corrects an abnormal sideways curve of the spine when the curve is large or progressing and other treatments are not enough. The most common operation, spinal fusion, straightens the spine as much as is safe using implants such as rods and screws and joins the corrected vertebrae so they heal in a better position, improving alignment, balance and posture.
Medically reviewed by the Florence Healthcare medical team · Last reviewed June 2026
Overview
Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine that can develop in childhood or adolescence, or in adults from degeneration of the spine. Mild curves are monitored, and bracing can help control progression in growing children, but surgery is considered when a curve is large, is progressing, or causes pain, imbalance or, in severe cases, effects on breathing. The aim is to correct the curve safely and stop it worsening.
The standard operation is posterior spinal fusion: the surgeon attaches anchors and rods to the spine to straighten it as far as is safe, then places bone graft so the corrected vertebrae fuse into a solid, stable column. Throughout, the spinal cord and nerves are continuously monitored to protect neurological function. The approach and the levels treated are planned precisely from imaging.
For growing children with early-onset or severe curves, growth-friendly techniques can avoid or delay a full fusion: vertebral body tethering (VBT) places a flexible cord along the spine to gently correct the curve while preserving more motion and growth, and growing-rod systems — including the sliding growing-rod technique — are periodically lengthened as the child grows. Hybrid techniques can combine fusion and non-fusion correction in carefully selected patients, helping protect motion while correcting the most important part of the curve. Your surgeon advises whether fusion, VBT or a hybrid growth-preserving approach best fits the curve, age and skeletal maturity.
Spine surgeons work with physiotherapists and, for children, pediatric teams, with rehabilitation guiding a graded return to activity. International patients receive a coordinator, a clear plan and a transparent cost estimate before travel, including the expected stay and recovery, and our specialists can review spine X-rays and MRI remotely first.
Who is a candidate?
- Adolescents with a large or progressing scoliosis curve despite growth and bracing
- Adults with scoliosis causing pain, imbalance or progressive deformity
- People whose curve is severe enough to affect posture, function or, rarely, breathing
- Patients for whom monitoring and bracing are no longer sufficient
- Those seeking a second opinion on whether surgery is needed for their curve
What happens
- 1
Assessment and imaging
A clinical assessment is followed by full-spine standing imaging to measure the curve and balance. EOS low-dose imaging is especially useful for scoliosis follow-up and surgical planning, and MRI or CT may be used when needed. The surgeon discusses with you whether correction is needed and which levels to treat.
- 2
Preparation
Your team optimizes your health for a major operation and explains the surgery, the spinal-cord monitoring used, and the recovery and rehabilitation that follow.
- 3
The operation
Under general anesthesia and continuous spinal-cord monitoring, the surgeon places anchors and rods to straighten the spine and adds bone graft so the corrected vertebrae fuse together.
- 4
Early recovery
You recover with careful pain management and are helped to stand and walk within a few days. Movement is guided to protect the healing spine.
- 5
Rehabilitation and follow-up
A graded rehabilitation program rebuilds strength and function over the following months. International patients receive a home program and a follow-up schedule, with remote support available.
Benefits
- Corrects and stabilizes the curve, improving alignment, balance and posture
- Stops a large or progressing curve from worsening
- Can relieve pain and, in severe curves, pressure affecting breathing
- Continuous spinal-cord monitoring protects neurological function during surgery
- Provides a lasting correction in well-selected patients
Risks & considerations
- Bleeding, infection and reaction to anesthesia, as with any major surgery
- Nerve or spinal-cord injury — uncommon, and minimized by continuous monitoring
- Reduced flexibility across the fused part of the spine
- A several-month recovery and a committed rehabilitation program
- Occasionally, hardware problems or the need for further surgery over time
Conditions this treats
Where it is performed
This procedure is performed by our Spine Center & Orthopedics.
Learn more before you decide
Provider-reviewed guides on the related conditions, symptoms and tests in our Health Library.
Scoliosis Surgery — frequently asked questions
Surgery is considered when a curve is large, is progressing despite growth and bracing, or causes pain, imbalance or, in severe cases, effects on breathing. Milder curves are monitored, and bracing can help growing children. A specialist assessment clarifies what you need.
The spinal cord and nerves are monitored continuously throughout the operation so the surgical team can protect neurological function while correcting the curve. This monitoring is a standard part of modern scoliosis surgery.
There is some loss of flexibility across the fused part of the spine, but the rest of the spine continues to move. Most patients return to a full and active life, and your team explains what to expect for the levels treated in your case.
Yes. Send your full-spine X-rays and any MRI and our specialists advise whether correction is needed and what it would involve, before you commit to travel.
Scoliosis surgery usually means around five to seven nights in hospital, plus recovery and the start of rehabilitation before flying — your coordinator confirms how long to plan for. We provide a transparent, itemized estimate after reviewing your imaging rather than a fixed online price.
Related treatments
Considering scoliosis surgery?
Share your reports for a medical second opinion and a transparent, itemized cost estimate — usually within 48 hours.